Biobehavioral outcomes following psychological interventions for cancer patients

Abstract

Psychological interventions for adult cancer patients have primarily focused on reducing stress and enhancing quality of life. However, there has been expanded focus on biobehavioral outcomes--health behaviors, compliance, biologic responses, and disease outcomes--consistent with the Biobehavioral Model of cancer stress and disease course. The author reviewed this expanded focus in quasiexperimental and experimental studies of psychological interventions, provided methodologic detail, summarized findings, and highlighted novel contributions. A final section discussed methodologic issues, research directions, and challenges for the coming decade.

Figure 1

The biobehavioral model of the psychological (stress and quality of life), behavioral (compliance and health behaviors), and biologic pathways from cancer stressors to disease course. Psychological interventions may moderate the effect of adverse psychologic, behavioral, or biologic responses on disease outcomes. CNS = central nervous system. Adapted from “A Biobehavioral Model of Cancer Stress and Disease Course,” by B. L. Andersen, J. K. Kiecolt-Glaser, and R. Glaser, 1994; American Psychologist, p. 390. Copyright 1994 by the American Psychological Association. Adapted with permission.